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Debate Number Two Jun. 5, 2007 Last evening (6/3/2007, live from NH) marked the second democratic debate in the race for the presidency in 2008. Prime time coverage began with Wolf Blitzer as moderator from CNN News. First, Wolf stated how the debate would progress; the first portion questions for each candidate were lobbed from journalists whereby each candidate had approximately a minute to respond, the second portion was follow-ups and questions from either e-mail or the live audience. Of particular importance is that each candidate must remain on topic or risk losing their turn. Participants in this gathering were; Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), Senator Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Mike Gravel-former senator from AK, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Governor Bill Richardson from NM, Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), and Senator John Edwards (D-NC). The first round of questions posed dealt with the war in Iraq, previous war votes surrounding the presidential authority for war or more recently the funding of this war, and the idea of if we are safer after 9/11 or not. On most of these topics there was unity within the party from all participants. Immigration legislation and reform was addressed in addition to healthcare and education. When specifically questioned about giving authority over to the president for war Senator Hillary Clinton said that at that time she felt she was making the right decision, as did most of the others who were charged in this decision. However, she mentioned that most people who voted to give Bush this authority assumed he (Bush) would allow the weapons inspectors to complete their jobs prior to taking the second move, which clearly Bush did not. Senator Clinton said in hindsight she would not have allowed this authority in her vote. Senator Edwards concurred and added that he felt his decision to vote for this authority was a mistake and he was sorry he had done so. Gravel was the most outspoken with regard to this authority stating that anyone who voted for this war should not be president. Gravel further stated that there were two sets of intelligence data used by this Administration to make their case for the war with Iraq. Gravel said the democrats at that time were just as much to blame in this scenario as are the republicans and that in doing so they and President Bush lacked moral judgment. Kucinich, who was against this war from the onset, said that the lawmakers who sent the soldiers into Iraq were dead wrong and that we need to stop funding this war and bring our troops home NOW! On the topic of being safer now or not most participants agreed (Senator Clinton was the only exception here in feeling that we are safer, but can do better) that we are not safer. Specifically Senator Obama said that President Bush has not moved against the aggressors for 9/11, i.e. the Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and therefore we are not safer. Obama added that if we truly want to be safer we need to strengthen our alliances with other nations via diplomacy. Senator Edwards said we need to use all means to thwart terror, but feels strongly that President Bush has done nothing to make the people of America safer. With regard to immigration Governor Richardson said that he felt a wall along the border was wrong. Richardson said we do need to increase the number of National Guard that currently patrol our borders, supports an earned citizenship, and supports punishing the employers of illegal persons. In closing, Richardson said that the new legislation (z-visa specific) sets these standards and criteria and is a good thing. Senator Biden supports an earned citizenship, but feels the fence will help to curtail drug trafficking. Senator Obama said that we can do a better job patrolling our borders, both north and south. Later questions invited whether the idea of making English the "Official" Language of America was a good thing or not. Senator Dodd said that we should encourage language training for all American's to encourage diversity. Senator Clinton said that English is recognized as the "National" Language of America and further stated that if we allow it to become the "Official" Language then there can be no translation of documents, persons, etc., which leaves us open to other potential legal consequences. Therefore, it is not a good idea. Gravel was the only one of those participants who felt strongly that English should be the "Official" Language for America. Healthcare was spoken about by Senator Clinton, Senator Obama, and Senator Edwards at length and all plans had similar conclusions with the exception of who might be covered. Senators Clinton and Obama would allow people who currently have healthcare coverage to stay with their current providers or change. Both of their plans targeted cheaper coverage for all. Senator Clinton has had plans before congress before. Her plan failed in the republican led congress while her husband was President, but did not diminish her desire to see it to fruition. Senator Edwards plan was slightly more encompassing and I felt directed toward covering all people the same regardless of income or age. Kucinich said that he would like to see a form of healthcare that is not for profit and provides the same care and coverage for all Americans. Plans may vary and change, but the good news is that healthcare appears to be a topic that all candidates believe is important for the people of America. More questions and replies came about in the second portion of this debate on topics such as the governments "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy for gays in the military, civil unions, the Patriot Act, the troop surge. Most candidates were in agreement on those topics with slight differences as to personal preferences. For more on the topics and replies of this debate visit CNN News. ------------ About the author: Michelle Malsbury was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. Currently she resides in Florida. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management and a Masters Degree in Business Management. She has just been accepted into Doctoral College and will begin that three year journey in the fall of 2006. She plans to write her dissertation on "The Economic Feasibility and Sustainability of Alternative Fuel Sources". Travels have taken her from Europe through the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and across much of the United States. She is joint founder of the Apalachicola Yacht Club (AYC) and holds the post of secretary/treasurer. For the AYC she drafted the Constitution and Bylaws outlining membership rules, regulations, and guidelines. She enjoys outdoor activities like sailing, water-skiing, hiking, bike riding, working out, and fishing as well as reading, music, theatre, playing with her two amusing pets (Abu Chez, her 7.5 year old Australian Blue Heeler and Zack, her three year old yellow tabby cat) and writing. "Three Years With Adonis" is the first to be published of several books that she has written. It is now available in all the better bookstores, but can also be found and ordered at Amazon.com, Booksamillion.com, Barnesandnoble.com, or ordered directly from her web sites, www.3yearswithadonis.com, www.threeyearswithadonis.com, or www.MichelleMalsbury.com. In addition to "Three Years With Adonis", she has authored four other books and three screenplays while continuing to explore all that life hands her. Email Michelle Malsbury: zackywacks@aol.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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